Lahore Fort Complex: Diwan-i-Am

The Diwan-i-Amm, or 'hall of public audiences' is attached to Jahangir's palace in Lahore Fort. It includes an expansive court (730'X460') and a trabeate hall on its northern side. It is this hall that separates the row of private palace buildings from the more public functions of the Fort. The innermost row of rooms was built by Jahangir. Cloth canopies were set up in front of these rooms to shelter the courtiers, until a pillared hall, known as the Chehil Sutun, or forty-pillared audience hall, was added by Shah Jahan. Some later alterations were made under Sikh rule.

The façade of the Diwan is distinguished by the red sandstone brackets supporting the wide slanting chajja, or projecting eaves. The pillars are decorated with chevron designs on their shafts, and stalactite designs on their capitals, similar to their counterparts in the Diwan-i-Am of Agra, after which this one is modeled. The outer walls are arcaded, open to the court and to the outdoor gardens, and the back wall contains a balcony-throne from which the emperor granted audiences.